SWAT Ed: Fox & Bull (Nothing Special 8)

Rid waved at him and Bull before his attention shifted right to Dale. “That was some pretty amazing roping you did out there earlier.” His voice was soft but somehow deeply smooth and harmonious. He was taller than Fox but not as tall or broad as his foreman. However, that didn’t take away from the toned physique he did have courtesy of his regular manual labor. “I’ve been working on mine, and I’m getting better, but my aim is still a bit off.”

“You gotta keep your pointer finger aimed down that shank,” Dale said, puffing his chest out. “And don’t release it until it’s pointed dead at your target.”

“Well, I been practicing a lot, that’s for sure,” Rid said, pausing and leaving an air of awkward silence amongst them.

Dale stared dumbfounded at Rid’s face before he let his gaze boldly roam his body. Bull began to bounce his curious stare between them, as Rid turned a light shade of red under the heavy scrutiny.

“Fox. Congratulations on standing up to the sheriff like that, man. You really are fearless, aren’t you? The whole town is talking about it.” Rid smiled, spreading his lips wide, and Fox kept his eyes on Dale. “You’ll probably be in the county fair’s parade this year. Bull, you too.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Bull said. “That was all—”

“You did too,” Fox snapped, glaring at Bull. “I’m glad people are recognizing what you and your ranch contribute to this town.”

“I agree. You and Dale are the best guys I’ve ever worked for,” Rid confessed, looking right at Dale.

Fox motioned for Dale to return the compliment instead of staring like a stalker.

“Well, I better get back to work. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Rid beamed. “It’s been a helluva day, and it’s almost time for me to cut out. Not that I have any plans later. I’ll probably grab a sandwich at the diner before I go back to campus.”

If that wasn’t a please-ask-me-out-for-a-steak-and-beer, then Fox didn’t know what was. Dale was still boldly watching Rid’s mouth while he talked—which Fox would admit, the guy had some plump, pinkish lips, tailor-made for doing you know what. But it wasn’t cool to let a guy know that was the first thing he’s thinking. Fox put his palm to his forehead, almost groaning in disbelief. He probably dated far less than these guys, and even he wasn’t this bad. “Say something!” Fox coached.

Dale’s mouth moved, and Fox’s jaw dropped open at what came out. “Can you make sure there’s extra bedding in the stalls tonight? It’s gonna be a bit chilly.”

“Oh, sure. Absolutely. I can do that.” Rid wrung his ball cap in his hands, looking embarrassed. “See you guys tomorrow.”

The three of them watched Rid until he was inside the barn, and Bull was the first to speak up. “What was that?”

“That was a guy trying to get another dumbass guy to ask him out to dinner.” Fox whirled on Dale. “But instead, you told him to get his ass back to work and don’t skimp on the fuckin’ bedding.”

“Shit. That was some bullshit coaching, Fox,” Dale grumbled, shoulder-checking him as he stormed past. “That was all your fault.”

“Story of my life,” Fox muttered.

The ranch had calmed down by the end of the week, and Fox was finally free to roam the property without people coming up to him with questions. Ones he wasn’t ready to answer, like were he and Bull partners? Would he be a permanent resident? And why wasn’t he in Atlanta? Fox still wanted to keep a low profile while he made Newt Thompson pay for the heartache he’d caused Bull and his family.

Fox was standing at the fence watching Diablo exercise. Every now and then, he’d walk over to the fence and nudge his hand. Once Fox had fed him a couple of apple chunks, he’d go back to trotting around the pen. It was brisk out today with winds coming from the north making the low forty-eight degrees feel more like twenty. He tucked his gloved hands into his wool-lined parka and turned to face Shannon when she came and stood a few feet from him.

“I don’t wanna get too close. Diablo likes you to himself.” She sighed as she watched the jet-black horse come up and stick his head over Fox’s shoulder almost protectively. “See what I mean?”

He stroked Diablo’s powerful neck while being hugged at the same time. He felt a ghost of a smile on his lips and lightness in his chest, no longer stressing about the decisions he knew he had to make soon. It was going to be hard—damn near impossible—for him to choose what his heart wanted, or honoring duty. But, when the time came… he knew he’d make the right one.

“I just need a little more time,” Fox whispered too low for Shannon to hear. As if the horse understood, he pushed his heavy head against Fox’s chest, then took off again.